David Ashley White, who began attending services at Palmer Episcopal Church in 1975 and was confirmed there in 1978, has been named the parish’s composer-in-residence, thanks to a gift from an anonymous supporter. He, the Palmer Choir, and Brady Knapp, Director of Music, have enjoyed a fruitful musical association for a number of years, and a notable result is the CD, Praise the Spirit: Sacred Music of David Ashley White (Gothic label, G-49254), comprising a number of the composer’s anthems, motets, and hymns. A second recording, So the day dawn, music for Choral Evensong and Concert, was released on the Gothic and Naxos labels in May of 2016.
A seventh-generation Texan, White is a Professor of Composition in the Moores School of Music, University of Houston, serving as director of the school, and holding the Margaret M. Alkek & Margaret Alkek Williams Endowed Chair, from 1999-2014. In 2010, Houston mayor, Annise Parker, appointed him to the board of the Houston Arts Alliance, and he continues in that position. He has long played an active role in Houston’s musical scene, composing works for various groups, including the choirs of Palmer Church, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, and Christ Church Cathedral, as well as Houston Chamber Choir, Houston Masterworks Chorus, the Concert Chorale from the Moores School and the University Singers from the University of St. Thomas. His music is frequently performed nationally and internationally, and practically his entire catalog of works is published, including four collections of his hymns. His hymns also appear in various denominational publications, including the hymnals of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal churches. The latter, The Hymnal 1982, includes his hymn tune PALMER CHURCH, composed in 1981 in honor of his home parish.
White earned degrees from the University of Houston (Bachelor of Music in oboe performance and Master of Music in Composition) and the University of Texas at Austin (Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition).
Brady Knapp is Director of Music at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, overseeing a nationally recognized multi-generational music program. Under his leadership the Palmer choirs have been featured on numerous national and regional conferences for the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, American Guild of Organists, and the Anglican Association of Musicians. The Palmer choirs have taken international and domestic tours singing choral residencies in the United Kingdom, in venues throughout the American Southeast, and at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.
Additionally, Dr. Knapp is Associate Professor of Music and coordinator of vocal and choral studies at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He conducts UST’s University Singers, is music director for the university’s opera workshop, and he teaches studio voice to music majors. The University Singers have been featured on conventions for the Southwest Liturgical Conference and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Fox television holiday programs, and on broadcasts for Radio Maria, KUHF (Houston) and Minnesota Public Radio. Dr. Knapp’s choral ensembles at Palmer Episcopal and the University of St. Thomas are regularly featured on National Public Radio broadcasts and both groups have albums on the commercial Gothic Records & Naxos labels.
Knapp received the Master of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts from Rice University, and he holds a Bachelor of Music from Vanderbilt University. In demand as a voice pedagogue, clinician, and conductor, Dr. Knapp has been invited to give workshops, masterclasses and participated in festivals across the country. He has served as guest lecturer of voice pedagogy as well as guest lecturer of church music at Rice University. Dr. Knapp served on the music faculties of Sam Houston State University, Kenyon College, Rice University, and the Columbus School for Girls (Bexley, OH). As a baritone soloist he has performed extensively in opera, oratorio, and recitals.